Q&A: Suki Summer Breaks Boundaries with “Nothing At All”— an Anthem for Freedom and Fierce Self-Expression
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY DANIELLE HOLIAN ☆
SUKI SUMMER IS MAKING WAVES — with her fearless, genre-blending music, and her latest release, “Nothing At All,” is no exception. An emerging singer-songwriter, Summer has quickly distinguished herself with a unique sound that melds gritty rock edge with nostalgic 80s synth elements. Her music feels both refreshingly new and reminiscent of a classic era, capturing the rebellious spirit of rock’s heyday while imbuing it with a modern twist. In “Nothing At All,” Summer turns her sharp songwriting lens onto the subject of casual relationships, tackling the societal double standards that often follow women’s expressions of sexuality. The track is a spirited anthem of liberation, empowerment, and defiance.
Since the release of her debut single, “On My Own,” Summer has been steadily building a fan base drawn to her authentic voice and bold themes. Her music explores independence and the importance of self-expression. With each release, she reveals a bit more of herself, and “Nothing At All” marks another step in her evolution as both an artist and a voice of her generation. Summer’s gritty vocal delivery, combined with lush, retro-infused production, offers a sound that’s simultaneously nostalgic and innovative, drawing in fans of classic rock as well as lovers of alternative pop.
In this interview, Luna delves into the inspiration behind “Nothing At All,” exploring the story of how the track came together in a single, intense session at The Premises Studios in London.
Summer’s work is unapologetically personal yet universally relatable. Her lyrics speak to those who refuse to be constrained by social expectations, who are ready to stand up, own their individuality, and celebrate it loudly. Through her art, she invites her listeners to explore their own freedom, offering a sonic sanctuary for anyone struggling to find their voice in a world that sometimes demands silence.
Working alongside producer Umberto Conca and sound engineer Neil Goody, Summer crafted the track’s explosive energy and layered sound in just eight hours. Summer talks about her experience in the studio, where the song’s bridge came together as an impromptu moment that added an unexpected depth to the final track. It’s these kinds of spontaneous, authentic touches that define Summer’s music, making it feel raw and unfiltered.
Join us as we get an intimate look into the creative mind of Suki Summer, a rising star who’s as fiercely independent as she is musically gifted. In her own words, Summer will share her journey, her inspirations, and the message she hopes to convey with “Nothing At All”—a song that’s more than just a single; it’s a declaration, a challenge, and an invitation for all of us to live boldly, authentically, and without compromise.
LUNA: Suki, “Nothing At All” has a strong message about embracing sexual freedom. What inspired you to tackle this topic in such a bold, unapologetic way?
SUMMER: I think as a woman in such a heavily male dominated industry women are constantly put under scrutiny for the relationships they have. There is a lot of shame attached to enjoying sex as a woman. I’ve experienced a lot of outdated and stigmatised attitudes towards women’s sexual freedom and truthfully the inspiration behind this song was to put a middle finger up to all those misogynistic attitudes.
LUNA: Your new single mixes 70s rock with 80s synth sounds. What drew you to these specific musical eras, and how do they shape your overall sound?
SUMMER: I was raised on music from the 70’s and 80’s listening to my parents’ vinyls of artists such as Led Zeppelin and Blondie. I thought for a song with this message the music needed to have grit. It didn’t make sense to have soft indie music for a song with so much opinion!
LUNA: Can you tell us more about the creative process behind “Nothing At All?” How did the song come together, and did you face any unexpected challenges or breakthroughs during the recording session?
SUMMER: I knew I wanted to write a song in this style but I had nothing solid written. I sent some artists that influenced the style over to Umberto who produced me this amazing track of music. Then I really just let my ideas and emotions flow. The melody and lyrics came together at the same time just seeming to really fall into place perfectly. I think the main challenge we faced with recording this song and subsequently mixing it was we had too many ideas! My amazing engineer Neil has the most incredible mind when it comes to arranging a song. The two of us in a room together is quite something!
LUNA: You’ve mentioned that this song addresses the stigma around women’s attitudes toward casual relationships. How do you hope listeners will respond to this message?
SUMMER: I hope that it can resonate with listeners and give them the confidence to enjoy their own freedom without guilt or apology (not necessarily just with sex but also in life).
LUNA: There’s a raw, almost rebellious energy in “Nothing At All.” How did working with producer Umberto Conca and the team at The Premises Studios influence this vibe?
SUMMER: I’m very fortunate that the team I worked with really understood my vision and allowed me to express myself with no constraints allowing for this raw, rebellious vibe to come out naturally.
LUNA: The song was written in just one sitting, with the bridge recorded in one take. How did that spontaneity impact the final version of the song?
SUMMER: I am a big believer in spontaneity when it comes to my creative process. I don’t like to become fixated on an idea because then you miss out on the awesome things that happen when you are just in the moment.
LUNA: How do you balance retro sounds with modern themes in your music? Is there a specific process you follow to keep that balance fresh and relevant?
SUMMER: I think with this track the music allowed us to really lean into that retro sound whilst my lyricism maintained contemporary themes.
LUNA: In a music landscape where female empowerment is becoming more celebrated, how do you see “Nothing At All” fitting into or challenging current trends?
SUMMER: I hope that it will just add to an already incredible and growing scene of female empowerment in music. With so many strong independent female artists in the industry, at the moment, I hope it will continue to inspire more female artists to be bolder and more fearless with the messages they put in their music.
LUNA: Artists often relate to their songs in personal ways. How does “Nothing At All” reflect your own journey and experiences as a woman in music?
SUMMER: This song is deeply personal. As a woman I’ve experienced many sexist attitudes both in my personal life and as an artist. This is my way of turning that negativity into something positive.
LUNA: What do you hope people will take away from “Nothing At All?” Is there a particular feeling or message you want listeners to carry with them after hearing it?
SUMMER: I think just to have fun, live your life how you want to and never let anyone make you feel bad for being you or for not giving them more of yourself than you want.
